While visiting Palm Springs, California, recently, I did something I’ve never done before: desert hiking.
A desert is not a foreign concept to me—I’ve road-tripped through the Southwest and ridden camels over Moroccan sand dunes before. And hiking is not new, either, after backpacking the mountains of Colorado and climbing around the Ozarks in Missouri. But the idea of waking up early and hiking up a hill full of cacti and desert scrub in blazing heat for fun was completely new to me. Did I enjoy it? Meh. I’d rather relax by the pool with a glass of lemonade in one hand and a book in the other. But I did enjoy the spectacular views of the Coachella Valley from the top of the climb.
Trying new activities while traveling offers a memorable way to explore a new city and learn a bit of the local culture. (And, if you’re a foodie like me, it’s also a great way to balance all the indulging in new restaurants you are probably doing.) A friend of mine found a 10K in Boulder, Colorado, to run while she was there on vacation recently. Another friend joined the surf team while she was studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. And a few years ago, while we were traveling through South Korea together, my friend Ben approached some locals doing tae kwon do and asked for a short lesson.
However, it’s important to take precautions when trying something new, especially in an unfamiliar setting. For my Palm Springs hike, I researched what to wear (layers and sturdy shoes to keep out—eek!—rattlesnakes), what to bring (sunscreen, plenty of water and a cell phone) and when to go (in the morning before the desert sun gets swelteringly hot). I read through 100 Great Hikes In and Near Palm Springs and chose a hike that I thought my hiking partner and I could handle. And, after 45 minutes of hiking up Museum Trail, we made it to the top and rested on some picnic benches while soaking in the panoramic views (see picture).
If you’re feeling adventurous on your next trip, research the favorite local activities and try it out for yourself (Mountain biking in Portland? Snorkeling in Sydney?). Don’t forget to be a smart traveler, and don’t forget to Show Us Your Sky!